> General Discussions
What should I do about friendships
Dave in Tenn:
As Ray explained, the entire English expression "unequally yoked" is from a single Greek word. It's not so much about being "yoked" as it is about being yoked "unequally". The other translations Dennis brought out are equally worth looking at. The real emphasis is on the NATURE of the yoke.
You'll have to figure out what this means to you, and your answer at 21 may be different than your answer at 42 or 64. One thing that it for sure means to me is that I won't sit silently in a pew (literally or figuratively) and be preached to by a Christian minister--professional or not. That's unequal. Even if you hold the view that they are "believers" (I generally don't)...unequal.
At the same time, I understand very, very well that faith is a gift, and I can't be angry with someone who has not been given a gift. I have no allies in either the church or the world, having spent decades in both. I may find both agreement and disagreement with anybody I talk with long enough, but that's not simply a result of what I believe... that's common to everyone with a thought.
You're young. Don't beat yourself up. Everybody has trouble finding their way socially. If I wanted to hang out with the guys, I would. I'm not better than them. It's when that relationship turns "unequal" that problems arise. One unequality is peer pressure. Make sense?
Dave in Tenn:
Just want to add: If you have this ultimately optimistic faith, you are already "separate". By the simple choice and grace of God, you have and are something exceedingly rare in the world.
Bury it deep in your heart and dig it up whenever you need it.
indianabob:
Good advice Dave, especially the final comment about the optimistic and uplifting faith that we have been given.
It is a "rare treasure" that God has provided to us to encourage and comfort us in all of life's challenges.
Indy Bob
lareli:
Extol, reading your thoughts on hanging out with Christians. Just curious what your thoughts are on going to a church event or something.
indianabob:
--- Quote from: lareli on March 17, 2022, 05:52:26 PM ---Extol, reading your thoughts on hanging out with Christians. Just curious what your thoughts are on going to a church event or something.
--- End quote ---
Hi Lareli,
Jumping in here with a personal comment, please.
I left WCG in 1999 when they changed so much I finally saw the hypocrisy.
I began searching for other helpful teachers and found L. Ray Smith among others.
It was for me a search for truth but while still wearing blinders on my human eyes of understanding.
I believe that God wanted it that way for me.
God does handle each of us in a personal way does HE not?
So I retained my old friendships for a while until actually they stopped calling me for fellowship and I got the message.
I think God orchestrated the whole thing without informing me of the plan.
=
In the case of a young person, say under 40 with active goals in life or still searching for a life's work, a gradual separation can be the better way to find the truth. If God has called you and wants you in HIS family, no personal human errors are going to ruin God's plan for your life.
In addition to that, it may be important to mix with human error the better to observe the error and "realize why" it is not for your own betterment.
The example of apostle Paul is one that I like to recall, in that he was on a completely evil path and Lord Jesus saved him on the spot in a very miraculous manner that certainly got his attention.
Of course Paul was a special case in that his assignment was to take the gospel to the gentile world for the first time.
=
So in closing I do not think it is always appropriate to cut oneself off from all former associations.
=
When God has a plan for your life, HE will get it done in HIS own good time. With God nothing is impossible...!
Indy Bob :)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version